If you are currently living with friends or family and have been asked to leave or are just looking to move-on, taking proactive steps may prevent you from being homeless.
Can you stay?
There are many reasons why it could be you have been asked to leave. Are your hosts struggling with their finances, are you making any contributions to rent or bills? Is the property overcrowded and your hosts don’t know what steps you are taking to move on? Has there been a relationship breakdown which is making it uncomfortable? Knowing why you have been asked to leave is the first step to addressing any potential causes.
Kent Family Mediation Service
Provides a professional and impartial family mediation service on matters such as access to children, child maintenance, the family home, property and finances after a family break-up, divorce or separation.
They can be contacted by Email: contact@kentfms.co.uk or call: 01795 410457.
Help to budget
If you are worried about keeping up with your rent payments there are also lot of independent organisations who can offer free and impartial advice:
- StepChange Debt Charity website has lot of useful information. Get help online or call 0800 138 1111 (lines open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 9am to 2pm).
- National Debtline offer free, independent advice and they have an online service called My Money Steps, or call on 0808 808 4000
- Wave Community Bank is a credit union offering safe savings and affordable loans for Kent residents. Family Saver Loans help families borrow for family needs and are repaid using child benefit. All loans have a savings element to repayments so borrowers build their savings as they repay the loans. Join and saving online or via the mobile app. Phones are open Monday to Friday between 9.30am-1.00pm and emails between 9.30am to 4.00pm. Call: 0300 303 3188 Email: info@wavecb.org.uk.
- Moneyhelper is a free and impartial service set up by the Government. Visit the website or call on 0300 500 5000.
Income Maximizing
If you are on a low income you can assess your entitlement to benefits and complete a budget planner to help to maximize your income at: folkestoneandhythehomelessness.entitledto.co.uk.
Looking for affordable private rented accommodation
This is likely to be your fastest solution to securing somewhere to live in the local area. Finances are often the biggest barrier so make sure you have followed the advice above and if you are still struggling you might need to look in more affordable areas of the country. For more information on the ways to secure private rented accommodation visit: https://www.kenthomechoice.org.uk/content/private-renting.
Applying to the Council’s Housing Register
If your home is unsuitable for you or if you are homeless or threatened with homelessness, you may be eligible to join your local council’s housing register. If your local Council is in Kent, you can apply online through the Kent Homechoice website at www.kenthomechoice.org.uk. Further information on joining Folkestone & Hythe’s housing register can be found here: https://www.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/housing/khc-social-affordable-housing. Please note that the demands for social housing via Councils’ housing registers is extremely high, and you are unlikely to be offered alternative accommodation quickly.
Affordable Home Ownership
There are several schemes available to help people to buy a home. Further information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/affordable-home-ownership-schemes.
If you have been asked to leave in the next 56 days
Contact your Council if you are already homeless or you have been asked to leave where you have been living within the next 56 days. Locally you can do this by accessing the Councils website to complete an online self-assessment, which will give you some basic advice and information.
If you are assessed as needing more help you will be asked to complete a more detailed assessment. Once the second assessment is complete you will be contacted to arrange/complete a telephone assessment and you will be required to provide contact details for the person that you are staying with for us to be able to speak with them and confirm when you have to leave.
The officer will always look to first prevent any homelessness, and this will include looking at what can be done to secure your current accommodation and if not possible, somewhere else to live.
You will be given advice and support about other housing options and how to access them, including the private rented sector, you may also be able to access assistance with rent in advance and or a deposit guarantee payment, however it should be noted that financial assistance is at the discretion of the local authority.